Belly Issues: More About Scar Tissue, Nutrition, and Digestion
I’m not going to lie, writing this blog has been a little more challenging than I had originally anticipated. A lot of that has to do with deciding how much information to share without writing a novel and/or putting you to sleep.
I’ll preface the blog by saying this, #1-I am not an expert when it comes to issues of the stomach/digestion but I care very much and continue to learn more and more everyday. #2 what we put in to our bodies matters. #3 If you are experiencing GI issues-please be sure to see a GI specialist. #4 Know that what I am about to discuss is MUCH MORE COMPLEX then this brief blog goes in to detail about but I’m hopeful you’ll get the idea.
Last week, Renee shared a blog with us that discussed the role of scar tissue on our digestion. We learned that scar tissue can restrict organs and motility of our digestive system thus creating symptoms like bloating, cramping, constipation, and all those other icky belly issues.
If you are someone who has had abdominal surgeries (c-section, gall bladder or appendix removal, laparoscopies, hysterectomy) you might be experiencing some of these icky belly issues. Oftentimes we go to the doctor to address these symptoms and are given stool softeners, medications, and are told to “eat more vegetables.” We try these things however nothing seems to really help. WHY? Because we haven’t addressed the problem in the first place. Scar tissue.
I’d like to share some stats with you! According to WebMD:
Scar tissue adhesions occur in 93% of individuals who have had a pelvic or abdominal surgery. 93%!!
60% of small bowel obstructions are caused by scar tissue adhesions and scar tissue adhesions are the major contributor of chronic pelvic pain.
It is true that not all scar tissue causes an issue but it can be an overlooked factor for your belly issues as Renee discussed in the last blog.
So now that we have recapped the scar tissue component on digestion and its effects, let’s talk about the role of nutrition, digestion and scar tissue restrictions.
Many times, individuals who have been experiencing belly issues feel lost because they are told to “eat more vegetables”, “consume more fiber”, “eliminate ______ from your diet”. We are left to figure it out on our own but we aren’t really sure where to start.
If this is you, let me ask you two questions-Did your doctor have you track your food and fluid intake prior to telling you to do “XYZ”? Did your doctor provide you with a referral to see a dietician?
Unfortunately here at Shift PT… 9 times out of 10 the answer to those two questions is no. Not only that but when addressing the symptoms, the fact that you’ve had multiple surgeries is forgotten.
It is really important when we are discussing belly issues to not only address the symptoms but also look at the big picture. Oftentimes those with belly issues are left to try to figure things out for themselves. This leaves us searching the internet to find answers and in doing so we receive mixed messages about what is best. To no fault of our own, we begin trying something, anything, to help combat the “ick” feeling.
“Try keto”
“Go low carb”
“Intermittent fasting is the answer”……
And we TRY, but then over time we develop habits that might actually hurt us in the long run. Simply put, our diet becomes less balanced and therefore we start changing the way the body digests and absorbs food. We consume less nutrients and start to feel run down, fatigued, and then those symptoms of bloat, constipation, heaviness don’t change or get worse.
So what can we do if we are experiencing these belly issues?
Begin to consistently track your food and fluid intake. Be honest about it. I know this can become “busy work” however this is a great tool for your doctors, physical therapists, nutrition coaches etc.
If your doctor is suggesting changes to your diet, ask for a referral to a dietician. They can help you come up with a nutrition plan and can work with you to monitor the effectiveness of your plan.
Think about your medical history. Do you have a history of abdominal or pelvic surgeries? Could scar tissue be playing a role? If yes, seek help from a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help.
Here at Shift PT and Wellness, we are here to help you navigate these belly issues. If we can’t directly help with your symptoms, we will be sure to provide you with resources. Let’s figure this out together. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We are here to listen to your story and help guide you in the right direction.
Written by: Jackie Giese, Physical Therapist Assistant, Fitness Nutrition Specialist
